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LEXINGTON. '"^^'^ 

A 

HAND-BOOK 

OF ITS 

Points of Interest, 



HISTORICAL AND PICTURESQUE. 



o 

iSr^HED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LEXINGTON 
O HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 




189I 



For Sale by 
W. B. CLARKE & CO. 

340 Washington Street, 
Boston, Mass. 







Copyright, 1891, 

BY THE 

Lexington Historical Society. 



Press of carl h. heintzemann. 



Half-tones by lewis Eng. Co. 



Copies of the original photographs (size, 9 ins. x 7ins.) 
of the pictures on pages 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 
21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 32, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 
46, 48, 49, 50, 5^, 57, 58, 59, 60, 70, may be obtained 
(mounted) at the following prices (postpaid) : — 

Single copies - - - - $ .50 

6 copies (one view) - - - 2.50 

6 copies (different views) - - 2,75 

12 copies (one view) - - - 4.50 

12 copies (different views) - - 5.00 

Historical set (15 views) - - 6.00 

Complete set (35 views) - - 13.00 

Orders to be sent to 

QUIDE=BOOK conniTTEE, 

P.O. Box 65, 

Lexington, Mass. 



CONTENTS. 



Index 
Map 



Topography 
History 
Lexington Common 

Meeting House Monument 
Grant Elm 
Buckman Tavern 
Line of Battle 
Harrington House 
Monument . 
Munroe House 
Belfry . 
Burying Ground 
Hancock Church 
Hancock-Clarke House 
Line of the British Advance and Retreat 
Historical Tablets and Monuments along the 
Jonathan Harrington House 
Munroe Tavern 
Sanderson House . 
Cannon Tablets 
Merriam House 
Hayward Tablet 
Other Points of Interest 
Parker Homestead . 
Cary Farm 
Grapevine Corner . 
Waltham St . 
Main St 



Line 



Page. 

73 
4 

5 
6 

12 

13 
13 
14 
14 
15 
i6 
i8 
i8 
19 

21 
22 
27 
31 
31 
32 
32 

33 
34 
34 
35 
35 
36 
38 
38 
40 



Contents. 



East Lexington 

Southerly Lexington 

Hancock St . 

North Lexington 

Merriam\s Hill 

Concord Hill 
Public Buildings 

Hancock School House 

Town Hall 

Gary Library . 

Memorial Hall 

Savings Bank 

High School House 

Village Hall . 

Adams School House 

Manufactures 

Churches, Societies, etc 
Drives 
Walks 

Church Services 
Post Offices 
Gary Library-Hours . 
Index .... 



PAGE. 

42 
44 
47 
51 
52 
54 
57 
57 
57 
58. 

59 
59 
60 
60- 
60 
61 
61 
64 
70 

71 
72 
72 
73. 



LEXINGTON. 



CINGTON lies northwest of Boston, at a distance of ten miles. 
It is reached by train from the Southern Division Station of 
the Boston and Maine R. R., on Causeway St., passing through 
Cambridge, Somerville, and Arlington. The railroad accom- 
modations are excellent, twenty-two trains running daily each way.' 

The town has an extent of territory of about 12,000 acres. It ad- 
joins Bedford and Burlington on the north, Woburn, Winchester and 
Arlington on the east, Belmont and Waltham on the south, and Lincoln 
on the west. According to the last census the population numbers 3,200, 
and the property valuation of the town amounts to about $3,500,000. 

Farming is the principal occupation of the inhabitants, and the chief 
productions are hay, milk, fruit and vegetables. Many business men of 
Boston have residences here, and during the summer and autumn Lexing- 
ton is a favorite resort. The location is peculiarly favorable to health, and 
invalids find the bracing air and pure water very beneficial. Being nearly 
250 feet higher than sea level, it forms the water-shed between the 
Charles River on the south, the Concord on the north, and the Mystic 
on the east. 

There are no stagnant ponds within its borders, and brooks run from 
it in almost every direction. The surface is greatly diversified, abound- 
ing in hills of considerable height which afford extensive views over the 
adjoining towns. From many points the Wachusett and Monadnock 
Mountains are plainly seen in the western horizon. Containing many 
large, well-tilled farms, pleasant dwellings with fine old trees around 
them, and extensive tracts of woodland, the drives over its sixty miles 
of roads are picturesque and delightful. 

^ A single fare to Lexington Centre is twenty-two cents, and a hundred-ride ticket may be 
purchased for ^12.50. 



Lcxiui^ton. 



HISTORY. 



Lexington probably derived its name from Lord Lexington, a British 
statesman of some prominence in the early ])art of the eighteenth cen- 
tury, when the town was incorporated. It was originally a part of Cam- 
bridge, and was set apart as a parish in December, 1692, by act of the 




BUCKMAN TAVERN, 



General Court, under the name of " Cambridge Farms." Large grants 
of land were made to Cambridge people as early as 1637, on condi- 
tion that they should clear the land, erect buildings thereon, and make 
it their place of residence. 



History. 



The first clearing was made in the vicinity of Vine Brook, in what 
is now the central village, and a house built by Robert Herlarkenden, 
about 1640. This was probably near the site of the present Merriam 
house, formerly known as the Buckraan Tavern {^See p. 14). After 
the organization of the parish in 1692, a meeting-house was erected at 
the junction of what are now Bedford and Monument Sts., and Benja- 
min Estabrook was employed to preach, but the church was not or- 
ganized until four years later, when he was ordained and settled as the 
minister of the par- 
ish. In the following 
year, 1697, Mr. Esta- 
brook died and was 
succeeded by Rev. 
John Hancock, who 
remained the pastor 
until his death in 
1752, after a settle- 
ment of fifty- five 
years. He was the 
grandfather of John 
Hancock, President 
of the first Conti- 
nental Congress, and 
the first governor of 
Massachusetts. 

In 1 713, the par- 
ish was set off from 
Cambridge and in- 
corporated as a town, with the name of Lexington. In the same year 
a new meeting-house was built near the old one, on land bought of 
" Nibour Muzzy " for a Common. It was fifty feet in length by forty 
feet in width, and twenty-eight feet in height. Having no steeple, the 
bell was hung in a belfry placed near it, and the bell appears to have 
been given to the town by Cambridge. This meeting-house and the 




MEETING-HOUSE MONUMENT. 



8 Lexington. 

belfry {See p. i8.) are seen in all pictures of the battle of Lexington. 
In 1715, the first schoolhouse was built; this also was placed on the 
Common, and occupied the site where the old monument now stands. 




afterwards known as " Schoolhouse Hill." A grammar school was 
established after its completion and taught for many years by Capt. 
Joseph Estabrook, the first schoolmaster of Lexington. It was not a 



History. 9 

free school, however, each pupil being obliged " to pay two pens per 
week for reading, and three pens for righting and siphering." It was 
opened only to boys at first, but subsequently the town voted to admit 
'* gairls." In the same year "dame schools," which were free to all, 
were established in the "out-skirts" and were taught by women, in 
rooms of private houses. 

At an early day the town was noted for its military spirit, and furnished 
its full share of soldiers for the Indian and French wars. When trouble 
with the mother country arose and affairs became critical, the people were 
prompt to organize for resistance to all encroachment upon their rights. 




FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE. — 1715. 



A company of minute-men was formed, numbering one hundred and 
twenty, under the command of Capt. John Parker. Probably it em- 
braced all able-bodied men capable of bearing arms in town. 
This company was steadily drilling for some time before the beginning 
of the conflict, and the town kept a stock of powder stored in the up- 
per gallery of the meeting-house, with balls, flints, etc. Thus, long 
before a blow was struck or the idea of independence seriously enter- 
tained, Lexington was preparing for the conflict. On the ever memor- 
able 19th of April, 1775, this company of fearless patriots received, on 
Lexington Common, the first shock of battle, and before the day closed 
ten of their number had sealed their devotion to the cause with their 



10 



Lcxinoton. 




History. i r 

lives, and nine were wounded, a larger loss than that of any other town. 
During the war of the Revolution, Lexington was represented in sev- 
enteen different campaigns, and many of her sons perished on distant 
battle-fields. One hundred and seven men from the town enlisted for 
three years, or during the war, and a larger number for shorter terms 
of service. When we remember that the whole population did not ex- 
ceed 800, it will be seen that the town was not wanting in devotion 
to the cause of American Independence. During the war of the Re- 
bellion, the same patriotic spirit animated her citizens. Nearly 200 
men were sent into the service by this town, of whom fourteen died, 
while in the army, from wounds or sickness. At the close of the war, 
Lexington had her quota more than full, and had expended $30,000 for 
the soldiers and their families. Thus the town has an honorable record 
of sacrifice and service in the cause of national independence and 
of freedom. {See p. jg.) 



12 



Lexington. 




THE COMMON — LOOKING NORTH. 



LEXINGTON COMMON. 



The most interesting spot in the town to its people and to visitors 
is the Common. This is a small plat of ground in the central village, 
about two minutes' walk north of the central railroad station. It has the 
form of a triangle, and is bounded by Monument St., Bedford St. and Elm 



TJic Conuiio)i. 



13 



Avenue. The purchase of an acre and a half of this ground was made in 
17 1 1, by a subscription of sixteen pounds. It was bought of " Nibour 
Muzzy" for public use. An additional acre was bought a few years 
later, for twenty-five pounds, to enlarge the Common toward the north, 
making two and one-half acres in all ; an area which has been consid- 
erably reduced by cutting Bedford Street through the eastern side. 
Meeting ^^ ^^^ southern point stands a monument marking the 

House Mon- site of the first three meeting-houses erected in Lexington. 
It faces down Main St., and bears on the front an appro- 




THIRD MEETING-HOUSE. — 1794-1846 — from BARBER'S HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS. 



priate inscription, and on the rear the names of the first seven pastors 
of the parish, with the dates of their pastorates. A few feet in the 
rear of this monument, and enclosed by a wire netting, is the elm 
planted by President Grant at the Centennial of the batde, April 19th, 
1875. {See p. 7.) 



14 



Lexington. 



On Bedford St., directly opposite this monument, is 
Buckman ^-j^g Merriam house, known at the time of the battle as the 
Buckman Tavern. It was the rallying place of the minute- 
men on the night of April i8th, and on the morning of the encounter 
at the Common. It contains bullet holes made by the shots of British 
soldiers, who were fired upon from the house. In the small one-story 
L of this house was kept, for many years, the first post-office of Lex- 
ington. {See p. 6). 







Line of 
Battle. 



About ten rods north from the Meeting-house Monument 
is seen a large boulder, placed here to mark the line of the 
minute-men in the battle. An old musket with a powder- 
horn thrown over it is carved on the face and points the direction of 
the line. Underneath are inscribed the words used by Captain Parker 
to his men : ''Stand your ground ; don't fire unless fired upon ; but if 
they mean to have a war, let it begin here." 

This command is found in a letter of Rev. Theodore Parker, Capt. 
Parker's grandson (See p.jj), to George Bancroft, as a tradition held 



The Common. 



15 



in the Parker family. It was confirmed by Col. William Munroe, the 
orderly sergeant of Capt. Parker's company, who formed the line of battle 
on April 19th, 1775. When the battle was acted out on the Common 
in 1 82 2, Col. Munroe personated Capt. Parker and repeated these words, 
adding, " Them is the very words Captain Parker spoke." This boulder, 
it is estimated, weighs from twelve to fifteen tons, and was drawn to 




HARRINGTON HOUSE. 



the spot, from a distance of two miles, by a team of ten horses. It 

fitly symbolizes the firm, unyielding spirit of the men whose deed it 

commemorates. 

On Elm Avenue, a few rods directly north of the boulder 

Harrington ^nd fronting the Common, stands a venerable house occu- 
House. '^ ' 

pied at the time of the battle by the family of Jonathan 



i6 



Lexins[ton. 



Harrington. He belonged to Capt. Parker's company, and fell, mor- 
tally wounded by the British volley. A tablet on the house relates the 
fact that he dragged himself to the door and died at his wife's feet. 
This house was built by Dr. David Fiske {See p. jo), and was, at one 
time, the home of John Augustus {See p. 20). A giant elm stands 
before it. 




MONUMENT, first parish church in backqrouno. 



Monument. 



Turning to the west side of the Common, on a rounded 
knoll is seen the old monument, erected by the State in 
1799. It is probably the oldest memorial of the Revolution in the 
country. It bears upon its face the names of the Lexington heroes 



The Common. 



17 



who fell in the battle, with an elaborate inscription {^See p. jo) 
written by Rev. Jonas Clarke, the minister of the town for half a cen- 
tury (See p. 24). In the rear of this monument is a stone vault 
which contains the remains of the martyrs to freedom, deposited there 
on the sixtieth anniversary of their death. The bodies of the slain 
were buried originally in the old cemetery and, after reposing there 
until 1835, were taken up and borne to the meeting-house, where an 
oration was pronounced by Edward Everett and, in the presence of a 




MARRETT MUNROE HOUSE. 



vast assemblage, the remains were laid, by their surviving comrades, in 
this final resting place. 

In front of the old monument Lafayette was welcomed to Lexington 
in September, 1S25. Here fourteen of Capt. Parker's minute-men 
were introduced to him, and the school children, marching by, scattered 
garlands at his feet. Here, also, Kossuth and many other distinguished 
persons have been received. 



1 8 Lexington. 

A little farther south on Monument St., facing the 
Munroe Common, is seen a slant-roofed house, built in 1729, and 

occupied at the time of the battle by Marrett Munroe. 
Towards this house Caleb Harrington was running from the meeting- 
house, where he had been to get powder, when he was shot by the 
British soldiers. A bullet from a British musket passed through the 
window over the door and lodged in a bureau, where it still remains, 
in the possession of one of Mr. Munroe's descendants living in Chic- 
opee, Mass. 

In 1 76 1 a new bell was given to the town by Isaac Stone, 

The Old 2.YiA a belfry was erected for it on the hill, now called 

Belfry. •' ' 

" Belfry Hill," a little to the south of the Munroe house. Here 
it remained for six years, when it was moved down to the Common and 
placed near where the old monument now stands. From this belfry 
was rung out the alarm on the morning of the 19th' of April, 1775, call- 
ing the minute-men to assemble on the Common. It remained there 
for thirty years, summoning the people to worship, warning them at 
nine at night to rake up the fires and go to bed, and tolling for them 
when, one after another, they passed away. In 1797, it was purchased 
by the son of Capt. John Parker, removed to his homestead in the 
south part of the town {See p. JS), and used for a wheelwright's 
shop. There it stood for nearly a century, but recently it was given to 
the Lexington Historical Society and has been removed to Belfry Hill, 
not far from the spot where it was built one hundred and thirty years 
ago. It stands on the side of the hill just above the new school- 
house and is approached by way of Clarke and Forest Sts. Though 
much dilapidated, it has been restored to its original appearance and is 
cherished as a precious memento of the olden time { See />. S). The 
bell has long since disappeared ; but the tongue which rang out the 
first notes of American Independence has been rescued from destruc- 
tion and is now preserved among the invaluable relics in the Cary 
Library (Seep. jS) . 



TJic Common. 



19 



The ancient 

Burying 

Ground. 



A short distance beyond the Unitarian Meeting-house, 
which faces the common, at the junction of Ehn Avenue 
with Monument St., a lane leads to the old burying ground. 
It is a pleasant spot, having an outlook over the meadows along the 
North Brook, towards the eastern slope of Davis Hill. So far as known, 
it contains the oldest graves in the town ; some of the stones bear the 




MONUMENT TO CAPTAIN PARKER. 



date of 1690, though probably many unmarked graves were made 
there much earlier. A monument to Capt. John Parker, commander 
of the minute-men, April 19th, 1775, was erected by the town in 1884, 
over the supposed site of his grave. It is a single block of granite, 
pyramidal in form, set upon a heavy base, and bears an appropriate 



20 



Lexington. 



inscription. Near it is the tomb of the Rev. Benjamin Estabrook, the 
first minister of Lexington, and, close by, the grave of his brother, 
Capt. Joseph, the first schoolmaster. An obelisk of white marble marks 
the burial place of Gov. William Eustis, one of the early governors 
of Massachusetts (1823-25), and a distinguished surgeon in the army 
of the Revolution. It was his request to be laid beside his mother, 

who was at one time a resi- 
dent of the town, and his own 
name appears on the roll of 
Captain Parker's company. 
In the vicinity of Governor 
Eustis's monument is the tomb 
of the Revs. John Hancock 
and Jonas Clarke and their 
families {^Sce p. 22). It is 
covered by a large stone slab 
placed upon six pillars, and in 
the vault below, in addition to 
the remains of Mr. Hancock 
and of his wife, are those of 
their son. Rev. Ebenezer Han- 
cock, those of Mr. and Mrs. 
Clarke, of Lucy Clarke, the 
wife of Dr. Henry Ware, of Mr. Clarke's son Bowen, and of his two un- 
married daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. The tomb was sealed up in 1843, 
when the last of Mr. Clarke's daughters was placed there. A curious 
monumental stone may be seen near the entrance to the burying ground, 
having inscribed upon it the names of six children belonging to one 
family, all of whom died within twelve days. {See p. 22). In one of 
the tombs near by are the remains of John Augustus, a resident of Lexing- 
ton, who is remembered for his benevolent activity in Boston, half a 
century ago, in caring for juvenile offenders at the Municipal Court, 
rescuing many boys and girls from a career of crime. At the left of the 
entrance to the burying ground is an enclosure containing the graves 




EUSTIS MONUMENT. 



TJic Common. 



21 



of many members of the Merriam, Simonds, Robbins and Parker fami- 
lies. Here also is the grave of Rev. Caleb Stetson, for many years 
pastor of the Unitarian Church in Medford, together with that of his 
wife, Julia Merriam, a native of the town. 




:iv"^ ' Up--'-. 



HANCOCK-CLARKE TOMB. 



Passing up Elm Avenue to its junction with Hancock St., opposite 

the northeast corner of the Common, we come to the 

Hancock meeting-house of Hancock Church, a plain, unpretentious 
Church. . . 

building, which has an interesting history. It was erected 

in 1822, for the use of Lexington Academy. But that institution be- 
coming extinct in 1833, it was offered to the State by the town, in 1839, 
for the establishment of a normal school. The offer was accepted, and 
the school was opened here in July of that year with three pupils, 



22 



Lcxins:toii, 



under the charge of Rev. Cyrus Pierce, familiarly known as " Father 
Pierce." This was the first normal school established in the United 




States. After five years it was removed to West Newton, and subse- 
quently to Framingham, where it is now permanently located. 

„ On Hancock St., about a hundred rods north of the 

The Han- ' 

cock-Clarke Common, stands the Hancock-Clarke House. The original 

portion of it is the one-story gambrel- roofed L, erected in 
1698 or 1699, by Rev. John Hancock, the second minister. In this 

humble dwelling his 
five children, three sons 
and two daughters, 
were born. The eldest 
son, John, was gradu- 
ated at Harvard and 
became the minister of 
Braintree, nowQuincy, 
where his son John, of 
the Revolution, was 
born. The second 
son, Thomas, was ap- 
prenticed to a book- 
FiRST NORMAL SCHOOL. - 1839. binder in Boston, and, 




The Common. 



23 



after serving out his time, went into business for himself and rose 
rapidly in wealth and influence until he became the richest merchant in 
New England. In 1734, he bought Beacon Hill, including the present 
site of the State House, and erected there the famous stone house 
known as the ''Hancock Mansion." The third son, Ebenezer, was 
graduated at Harvard and became his father's colleague in the pastor- 




HANCOCK-CLARKE HOUSE. 



ate of the church, dying here in 1740. The daughters both married 
clergymen. Thomas Hancock built, in 1734, the two-storied addition 
to the original house, for the comfort of his father and mother, and 
here the old people died "full of years and honors." But a more 
eventful history remains to be told of the old house under the sue- 



24 



Lexington. 



ceeding occupant and owner, Rev. Jonas Clarke, the fourth minister 
of Lexington. Marrying Lucy Bowes, a grand-daughter of his prede- 
cessor, in 1760, he bought the estate and hved there until his death in 
1805. Here their thirteen children were born and grew up to manhood 
and \Momanhood ; two of them remained in the house until they died, 
in 1843. Four of Mr. Clarke's daughters married ministers, and not 




HANCOCK-CLARKE ELM. 



less than twenty-five clergymen are either included among the descend- 
ants of John Hancock and Jonas Clarke, or were connected with them 
by marriage and are hence associated with this house. The ministry, in 
Lexington, of these two men covered a period of one hundred and five 
years. Young John Hancock was a cousin of Mrs. Clarke and a frequent 
visitor in the family. Much of his boyhood and youth had been passed 



The Common. 25. 

here under the care of his grandfather, the aged minister. On the 
night of the i8th of April, 1775, in company with that staunch patriot, 
Samuel Adams, he was sleeping in the west room of the lower floor 
when aroused by Paul Revere. Under apprehension that an attempt 
would be made by Gen. Gage to arrest them, a guard of eight men 
had been stationed around the house for their protection. After giving 
the alarm. Revere returned to the Common and rode on towards. 
Concord. Hancock and Adams were conducted to the house of 
Madam Jones, in Burlington, about four miles distant. But word com- 
ing that the British were on their track and close at hand, they were 
led to the house of Amos Wyman in Billerica, two miles farther away, 
where they remained during the day i^See Drive No. 17, p. 6"/). 

At the time of the battle the ground was all open between Mr. 
Clarke's house and the Common, and the firing was plainly seen from 
the chamber windows. As Mrs. Clarke and her children were leaving 
the yard for a more secure place, a bullet whizzed by and lodged in the 
barn, barely missing one of the daughters, who was carrying a baby in 
her arms. During the day Mr. Clarke remained at the house, and as 
the minute-men were going to and returning from the conflict, he 
offered them such refreshment as he possessed, until his bread, meat 
and cider were exhausted. 

Jonas Clarke was an ardent patriot, heartily devoted to the cause of 
American liberty, and a wise counsellor, conversant with political affairs. 
His house became, naturally, the gathering place of patriots and states- 
men before and during the Revolutionary period. Many literary men, 
college presidents and professors, governors of the state and men 
prominent in social and political life used to gather around his hos- 
pitable board and discuss the burning questions of the time. The 
venerable house is thus associated with many historic personages and 
events, and is an object of especial interest to all visitors to Lexington. 



Lexiiii^tou. 




Line of the British Advance and Retreat. 27 



LINE OF THE BRITISH ADVANCE AND RETREAT. 

Main St., extending from the Arlington line, on the southeast, to 
the Common, has substantially the same location now as in 1775. 
This was the route of the British troops on the morning of the 19th 
of April, when they came to Lexington to arrest Hancock and Adams, 
and marched on to Concord to destroy the military stores. Within a 
quarter of a mile of Lexington Common, hearing the drum beating 
the minute-men to arms, they hurried on upon the "double quick." 
Major Pitcairn, finding the Provincials drawn up in line, rode forward, 
ordering them to disperse ; upon their standing firm, his troops fired ; 
two volleys were discharged, the second with fatal effect. The minute- 
men made scattering return and then dispersed, with a loss of seven 
killed and nine wounded. The number of the minute-men was about 
seventy, while that of the British was more than eight hundred. After 
this encounter, the British marched on towards Concord by Mon- 
ument St., the Lincoln road, and the old way over Concord Hill, west 
of the village. {^See Drive No. 16, p. dy.) On their retreat in the 
afternoon, they came back by the same route, attacked by the gathering 
hosts of the patriots at every advantageous point. They were exhausted 
by their long march, and dispirited by the losses they had sustained. 
Their first stand in the town was made on a hill a mile and a half west 
of the Common, where the old and new Concord roads come together. 
(A granite slab with a suitable inscription stands at the foot of the hill.) 
Here great efforts were made 
by the officers to check the re- 
treat and restore order in their 
broken ranks. But in vain ; 
they were soon driven in much 
confusion from this position to 
one on Fiske Hill, still nearer 
the village. Again the attempt 
was renewed, but the patriots. 



THIS BLUFF 

WAS USED AS A RALLYING POINT 

BY THE BRITISH 

APRIL 19, 1775. 

AFTER A SHARP FIGHT 

THEY RETREATED TO FISKE HILL 

FROM WHICH THEY WERE DRIVEN 

IN GREAT CONFUSION. 



28 Lexington. 

emboldened by their success and sheltered by a breastwork of fence- 
rails, made it impossible to withstand the hot and incessant fire. Here 
Major Pitcairn was thrown from his horse and the animal was captured 
with all his accoutrements {See p. j8). From this point the retreat 
became a confused rout, which was not checked until the flying foe 




MUNROE TAVERN. 



met Percy's reinforcement half a mile beyond the Common towards 
Boston. This was in the vicinity of the Munroe Tavern. The British 
troops had been on the march since ten o'clock of the night before, 
and, since leaving Concord, had been fighting their way through com- 
panies of minute-men gathering along the road. They now had a 
brief rest under the protection of Percy's fresh troops and two pieces 



Line of the British Advajice and Retreat. 



29 



of artillery. For two hours they remained here, pillaging and burning 
houses, kiUing cattle and firing in various directions to keep back the 
patriot host. After dressing their wounded at the Munroe Tavern, 
eating and drinking whatever they could find, and killing the bar-tender 
who had served them, they piled up the furniture in one of the rooms, 
set it on fire, and continued their retreat through the town, hard pressed 
on every side. Such, in brief, is the story of that day's scenes of out- 
rage and death in Lexington. 




MAIN ST., LOOKING NORTH. 






ftii'" 


The Ulood of lh« 


cMkTtTrf 






WMihe Cement of thB Un.or 




















DtUoi tl.e.r D.ii 


e H.tbt.. 


Tb«/ nobly dfct'd 








RightMua lirmieo apiirove 


tbe eolnn 






MONUMENT.— INSCRIPTION WRITTEN BY REV. JONAS CLARKE. 



Historical Tablets and Monuments along the Line. 3 i 

HISTORICAL TABLETS AND MONUMENTS ALONG 

THE LINE. 

In the year 1884, the town made an appropriation of $1,500 to 
mark places of historic interest for the information of visitors and to 
perpetuate a knowledge of important events and sites withm our 
borders. Coming from the direction of Boston, in the vil- 
nT^ng^ lage of East Lexington, on Main St., a short distance above 
ton House. ^^ FoUen Church, is seen the house, marked by a tablet, of 
Jonathan Harrington. He was the fifer boy of Capt. Parker's company, 




JONATHAN HARRINGTON HOUSE. 



a mere lad of sixteen at the time of the battle, but lived to the .tjreat 
age of ninety-six years, the last sur\nvor of that valiant company. It is 
related that on the morning of the 19th of .April, 1775, when the 
alarm was given, his mother roused him from sleep, calling at the cham- 



2>2 



Lcxiimtoji. 



ber door, "Jonathan, Jonathan, get up, the British are coming and 
something must be done." Haifa mile farther, and a mile south of the 

Common, we come to the old Munroe Tavern, also marked 
Tl^ Munroe ^y ^ tablet, designating it as the headquarters of Earl Percy 

on that day. On his visit to Lexington, Nov. 5th, 1789, 
Washington dined here, the dining-hall being in the southeast room of 
the second story. Below it is the room where the wounds of the British 
were dressed, and on the right hand of the front door was the bar-room, 
in the ceiling of which a bullet hole was made by the discharge of a 













SANDERSON HOUSE. 



British musket. The hole is still to be seen. In this room also the 
fire was kindled which, happily, was extinguished before much damage 
had been done. 

Near the Tavern, a little below and on the same side, is 
Hm?se^^°'^ the old Sanderson house, in which a wounded soldier was 
left by the British, under the care of Mrs. Sanderson. She 
lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and four years, and used to 
tell that the British soldier feared that she meant to poison him, and 
would not take food or drink until some member of the flimily had 



Historical Tablets and Monuments along the Line. ^t, 

tasted it. Asked in old age, what she gave him, she used to say, 
" Every now and then I gave him a diivi/ish honing.'''' In this house 
was born Lewis Downing, the famous coach builder. 

A little farther on towards the village is seen a granite slab, indicating 

the position of one of Earl Percy's cannon, and recording 

Tablets. ^he fact that several buildings were burned in the vicinity. 

In the well near by, the Widow MuUiken concealed the family 




MERRIAM HOUSE. 



silver. Her husband's noted 
clock-making shop stood here 
and was destroyed. Thirty rods 
nearer the village, in the yard 
of the High School building 
{See p. d/), is a stone cannon 
marking the spot, then a hill 
of considerable height, where 
another British field piece was 



ON THE HILL TO THE SOUTH 

WAS PLANTED 

ONE OF THE BRITISH FIELD PIECES 

APRIL 19, 1775, 

TO COMMAND THE VILLAGE 

AND ITS APPROACHES. 

AND NEAR THIS PLACE 

SEVERAL BUILDINGS WERE BURNED. 



34 Lexington. 

planted to cover the retreat. It is pointed in the direction of the old 

meeting-house, which stood on the Common, Probably here was fired 

the shot which passed through the sacred edifice and lodged in the 

ground beyond. The ball was dug up and given to Harvard College, 

but has long since disappeared. 

A short distance beyond, on the opposite side of the 
Mernam , , , 

House. street, stands a venerable house, then occupied by the Mer- 

riam family ; as stated on the tablet, it was pillaged and set 
on fire, but unsuccessfully, and the house still remains, being probably 
1 60 years old. 

Passing through the village {Seep. 12 for description of 
TablTf^^ ^■^"' Comniou.) and by the British route over Concord Hill, 

a mile beyond we come to another granite slab standing 
in the wall in front of a farm- 
house. Here, in the yard, 
young Hayward of Acton, pur- 
suing the foe, stopped to drink 
at the well, when a British sol- 
dier came out of the house, 
which he had entered for plun- 
der, and raising his gun said, 
" You are a dead man." " So are 
you," Hayward replied. Both 
fired at the same moment ; the 
soldier was instantly killed, but Hayward survived until the next day. 
His powder-horn, through which the British bullet passed, is preserved 
in his native town. In a corner of the field opposite the house are 
graves of soldiers, and over the hill towards Concord, near the bluff 
where the first stand within the borders of Lexington was made, are 
other graves ; no pains were taken to mark the spot and it is now im- 
possible to tell where they are. Graves of British soldiers who fell on 
the retreat were made in several places, but the exact localities cannot 
be now identified. Eleven British graves are to be seen in the town 
of Lincoln {See Drive No. 14, p. 66). 



AT THIS WELL 

APRIL 19 1775 

JAMES HAYWARD OF ACTON 

MET A BRITISH SOLDIER 

WHO RAISING HIS GUN SAID 

VOU ARE A DEAD MAN 

AND SO ARE YOU REPLIED HAYWARD 

BOTH FIRED THE SOLDIER 

WAS INSTANTLY KILLED 

AND HAYWARD MORTALLY WOUNDED. 



Other Points of Interest. 



35 



OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST. 

In the southwest portion of the town, in the district 

Parker called " Kite End," and about two miles from the central 

Homestead. 

village, is the Parker homestead i^See Drive No. g, p. 6j^. 

It has been occupied by the Parker family since 1710, when they came 
to Lexington from Reading. Here Capt. John Parker was living in 
1775, i^^ ^ house torn down many years since to give place to the 

present cottage. 
From this place he 
was summoned by 
the alarm bell on the 
morning of the 19th 
of April to assemble 
his minute-men on 
the Common ; and 
here he died in the 
September following. 
His son, John, suc- 
ceeded him in the 
ownership of the 
flirm, and here his 
grandson, Theodore 
Parker, was born in 
1810, in the old house 
whose position is 
marked by a monu- 
ment placed there by 
his devoted parishioners. Theodore Parker grew up to manhood, work- 
ing on the farm through the season, and attending the district school in 
the winter. He was a studious lad, devoted to books, and reading what- 
ever he could borrow in the neighborhood, or from the village library. 
In the woods behind the present house, on a hill overlooking the 
farm, are the ledges where he spent many leisure hours in study. The 




PARKER MONUMENT. 



36 Lexington. 

school was a mile away on the old Concord turnpike, towards Boston^ 
near the present schoolhouse, but on the opposite side of the road. 
Under the instruction of young collegians, who generally taught the 
school in winter, he began the study of Latin and Greek, and fitted 
himself to enter Harvard College without other assistance, giving 
all his spare time from farm work to the preparatory studies. To 
the end of his life he cherished a fond remembrance of the scenes 
of his youth, and he delighted to visit them to refresh his weary body 
and brain in communion with Nature. On a hill (ySce Drive No. j, 
/>. (5^), between the Parker house and the school is seen a tall pine 
towering above the surrounding woods, and visible from many points in 
the town. It stands by the roadside near the Cutler homestead and 
Parker passed it daily on his way to and from school. He induced the 
owner to spare it when the rest of the forest was cut down. 

A quarter of a mile towards the village, on Spring St, and Concord 
Avenue, we come to the Phinney place, owned and occupied by Mr. 
Webster Smith, but for nearly a century the home of the Phinney family. 

Elias Phinney, Esq., was clerk of the Middlesex County Court for 

thirty years, living here and riding daily to and from the sessions at 

Concord, Cambridge and Lowell. He was an extensive and skillful 

farmer, and the first imported cattle in Massachusetts were kept on his 

farm. The improved methods of agriculture, the best labor-saving 

machinery, the finest stock, the most valuable fruits and vegetables, 

whatever promised to advance the interests of farming, found in him 

an earnest advocate. His farm drew many visitors from all parts of the 

state, and his experiments were the means of instruction and profit to 

a wide circle. The views from the high lands of the farm upon the 

western hills and to the Wachusett are among the finest in Lexington. 

The house erected by Mr. Phinney was destroyed by fire a few years 

since and has never been re-built. 

Coming towards the village a short distance, an old and 

^^^y little-used road on the left leads by the Cary farm (See 

Farm. 

Drive No. 15, p. 6y), the beautiful summer home of Miss 

Alice B, Cary, the daughter of Maria Hastings Cary, the founder of the 



Other Points of Interest. 



37 



public library {See p. jS). Here Mrs. Gary was born and here was the 
home of her ancestors for many generations. The farm is an extensive 
and valuable one, and the noble trees around the house, the fine lawn 
in front, the substantial stone walls, the large gardens and conserva- 
tories, the numerous and spacious buildings, give the place an attractive 




RESIDENCE OF MISS GARY. 



appearance. This farm, containing about two hundred acres with its 
extensive woodlands, was offered to the State by Mrs. Gary for the 
agricultural school which was, however, located in a more advantageous 
position at Amherst. An entrance to the estate from Middle St., on 
the northeast side, brings it much nearer to the village, but the old 
road is the only one open to the public. Returning to Spring St., 



38 



Lexington. 



which we left near the Phinney place, and proceeding towards the vil- 
lage, we have, on the left, for a considerable distance, the beautiful 
Gary woods. 

Following Spring St. to Middle St., and continuing on the 

Grapevine latter, past Grapevine Corner, we come to " Valleyfield 

Farm," now owned by Mr. Goldthwaite, one of the most 

productive and valu- 
able in the town. It 
forms one of four 
tracts of land granted 
by the proprietors of 
Cambridge to Mat- 
thew Bridge, and em- 
braced, altogether, 
six hundred acres. 
Since it passed out 
of the Bridge family, 
it has been owned by 
several different pro- 
prietors, each of 
whom has added im- 
provements, increas- 
ing its value and 
making it more at- 
tractive. A large 
extent of reclaimed swamp-land belongs to this farm, from which heavy 
crops are obtained. The rambling house, evidently of many additions, 
and the spacious barn are picturesque. 

Returning to Grapevine Corner and pursuing our way 
to the village, we pass, on the left, the avenue leading to the 
house of Dr. R. M. Lawrence. It stands on the southern 
slope of Loring Hill, high above the street and almost concealed by a 
heavy growth of forest trees, with which the hill is crowned. From 
the house and grounds, looking westward, is a fine view, over fields 




MULLIKEN OAK. 



Waltham 
Street. 



Other Points of Interest. 



39 



and woods dotted with farmhouses, into the adjoining town of Lmcoln 
Nearer the village, on the northern slope of Loring HUl, is the new and 
elegant house of Hon. A. E. Scott, commanding a prospect of rare 
beauty across the meadows to Davis and Concord Hills m the nor h 
and to Hancock Heights in the east, with the village lying between. 




WALTHAM S^., LOOKING SOUTH-WEST. 



Still farther towards the village is the house of Mr. E. A. Mulliken, close 
beside which stands a giant oak that has numbered perhaps three or 
four centuries in its growth. It is said to mark the geographical centre 
of Lexington, a fact ascertained by an actual survey made m the last 
century, when a new meeting-house was to be built for the town. As 
we enter the village on Waltham St., the extensive meadows lying on 
Vine Brook form a pleasing feature of the scene. The broad sweep 



40 



Lexington. 



of fields, backed by wooded hills, where many beautiful dwellings with 
their gardens, orchards and lawns are seen, form a rare picture of 
rural peace and beauty. The plain on which the village stands is 
almost encircled by hills. Only where the North Brook leaves the 
plain on its way to the Shawsheen, and Vine Brook, on the southeast, 
seeks the same river, are there breaks in the enclosing hills. 




THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE AND MUZZEY HOMESTEAD. 



Main Street. 



Adjoining the Town Hall, on Main St., towards Boston, 
we pass the Massachusetts House, now used as a hotel. 
This building was erected by the State, in 1876, on the Centennial 
grounds at Philadelphia, for the state officials ; after the close of the 
exhibition it was purchased and removed here by Mr. David Muzzey. 
It is now a favorite resort of visitors in the summer and autumn, and of 



Other Points of Interest. 



41 



sleighing parties in the winter. Next it, and used as a " Cottage," is 
the Muzzey homestead. Following Main St., and crossing Vine Brook, 
we pass, on the right, the site of the Baptist Church, erected about sixty 
years since for the use of the society, but within recent years greatly 
enlarged and improved. The edifice was destroyed by fire on the 13th 




THE RUSSELL HOUSE. 



of May, 1 89 1. Just beyond, at the junction of the Woburn road with 
Main St., stands the Russell House, a spacious and comfortable hotel 
which accommodates many guests both in summer and in winter. 
Nearly opposite are the house and grounds of INIr. Lewis Hunt, occupy- 
ing a delightful location ; and on Bloomfield and Mt. Vernon Sts., just 
beyond, are many new and pleasant dwellings. Pursuing our way 



42 



Lexington. 



towards Boston, we pass, on the left, the farm of Mr. James S. Munroe, 
a place of great natural beauty. Farther on, we pass, on the 

Lexinlton. right, the spacious summer residence of Col. William A. 
Tower, standing high above the street and overlooking a 

wide sweep of country to the east. Entering the village of East Lex- 




RESIDENCE OF COL. W. A. TOWER. 



ington, at the corner of Maple St., near the house of Mr. Walter Wel- 
lington, stands a magnificent elm, sixteen feet in circumference six feet 
above the ground, one of the largest in the town and at least one hun- 
dred and seventy-five years old. The tradition is that it was pulled up 
by the grandfather of Jonathan Harrington {See p. ji) while riding and 
used as a whip. Reaching home, he planted it without thought or care. 



OtJicr Points of Interest. 



43 



but it grew vigorously and has attained gigantic proportions. It still ap- 
pears sound and vigorous. On the opposite corner is the Pierce home- 
stead, now owned by Mr, Lockwood. The FoUen Church, not far 
below, is a neat, octagonal edifice, with a graceful spire, and having 
a pleasant and convenient audience-room. It was planned by Dr. 
Charles FoUen, the first pastor of the society, and built under his 
superintendence. The beautiful communion table and the pulpit with 
its symbolic carving 
were also designed 
by him. The tragic 
story of his death on 
the steamer Lexing- 
ton, while coming 
from New York to 
attend the dedication 
of this edifice, is re- 
membered by the 
people of the town 
as one of the most 
sorrowful events in 
its history. On the 
day of dedication the 
congregation as- 
sembled for the ser- 
vice and waited long 
for their beloved 

pastor, whom they were never again to behold in the flesh. Adjoining 
the church on the south is the house in which he lived and where he 
preached before the church was built. Ralph Waldo Emerson also 
preached in this house for a time when pastor of the society. A few 
rods below, on the left, is the Morrell house, owned by Mrs. Dana, 
surrounded by beautiful trees and gardens. East Lexington contains 
many pleasant dwellings and by reason, also, of its beautiful trees and 
the picturesque hills under which it is built, is an attractive part of 




WELLINGTON ELM. 



44 



Lexinsrton. 



the town. The views from Mt. Independence are very fine. Fifty 
years ago this section of the town was famous for its fur-dressing busi- 
ness carried on by Mr. Eli Robbins and Mr. Ambrose Morrell. 

Turning out of Main St., opposite the " Brick Store," 

Southerly \^xjq Pleasant St., we follow the road for about a mile to the 

^Vellington homestead, on Concord Avenue, now owned and 

occupied by Mr. Cornelius Wellington. It has been the home of his 




FOLLEN CHURCH. 



ancestors for six or seven generations, reaching back a hundred and 
eighty years, and in it resided Benjamin Wellington, the first prisoner 
taken by the British. The farm is a productive one, and the substantial 
house, with fine lawn and beautiful trees in front, the large garden 
filled with old-fashioned flowers, the extensive views to the north, with 
the village in the distance, and to the east, over meadows and hills, 
to Arlington Heights, make it a most attractive place. On Pleasant St., 



OtJicr Points of Interest. 



45 




46 



Lcxi}is:toH. 



just below, is the farm of Mr. Charles A. Wellington, having buildings 
and grounds hardly less delightful. Proceeding up the Concord turn- 
pike (West), we soon reach Blossom St. on the right, a road rightly 
named, winding in and out among farmhouses and orchards with 
pleasant views opening at almost every point. This portion of the 




WELLINGTON HOMESTEAD. 



town was formerly known as "Smith End," nearly every farm belonging 
to some member of that prolific family. At the large old farmhouse 
of Mr. Abram Smith, on this street, is another of those huge elms for 
which Lexington is noted, with a trunk not less than sixteen feet in 
circumference, and a top of great height and area ; it has witnessed 
probably the birth and death of six generations. Continuing through 



OtJicr Points of Interest. 



47 



the sinuosities of either Allen or Blossom Sts., we come out upon 
Waltham St., and return to the village. 

Starting from the Common and proceeding up Hancock 

Hancock gt., we pass, on the right, the fine places of Mr. M. H. 

Merriam and Mr. B. F. Brown, having extensive grounds 




RESIDENCE OF MR. M. H. MERRIAM. 



adorned \vith a variety of noble trees. Both dwelhngs occupy elevated 
sites and have a charming outlook over the village. Farther up the 
street, and on the opposite side, adjoining the old Hancock-Clarke 
house, is the estate of Mrs. Mary Brigham. Here is seen a magnificent 
elm having a double trunk and a symmetrical top that sweeps the 
ground in a circle five or six rods in diameter {See p. 24). It is known 



48 



Lexinntoii. 







Otlicr Points of Interest. 



49 



to be above one hundred and twenty years old, and is, apparently, in 
the vigor of youth. Undoubtedly it is one of the most graceful and 
beautiful trees in New England. In the rear of the house, on a long 
ridge, is a noble grove of oak and walnut trees that extends across 
several adjoining estates, and adds much to the beauty of the vicinity. 




RESIDENCE OF MR. B. F. BROWN. 



On the opposite side of the street is the entrance to the large estate of 
Mr. Francis B. Hayes, embracing four hundred acres of gardens, lawns, 
fields, orchards and meadows, with extensive forests of pine and oak 
crowning the highlands. These grounds are not usually open to the 
public. 

Continuing up Hancock St., we pass the home of Mr. George O. 
Whiting, at the corner of Adams St., occupying a fine, elevated site 



50 



Lcxi}is:ton. 



with large grounds, and having an extensive view of hills and mountains 
in the northwestern horizon. 

The next house beyond is noted as the home of Dr. Joseph Fiske, a 
surgeon in the army of the Revolution. He was living here at the time 
of the battle, and dressed the wounded after the encounter on the Com- 
mon and during the day. He belonged to a family of physicians, three 




RESIDENCE OF MR. G. O. WHITING. 



generations of whom resided in Lexington. Passing Revere St. on the 
left, we come to the pleasant home and farm of Mr. Francis E. Bal- 
lard, a place neatly kept, well-tilled and productive. A lane on the left 
leads to the site of the old Tidd house, recently pulled down after 
standing for two hundred years. A noble elm, probably of equal age, 
close to the North Brook, marks the spot where lived and died five or 



Other Points of Interest. 



51 



six generations of a family once prominent in the town, but having no 
representative here at the present tune. 

Passing up Hancock St., by the schoolhouse, we have, on 
North ^j^g height of ground, another fine view of the hills and 

Lexington. ^^^^^^^^^^^^ .^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ horizon. Pursuing our way on 

Bedford St., we pass some of the largest and best farms in Lexington, 
notably those of Mr. Wetherbee, Mr. John P. Reed, and, on a back 
road that of Mr. Stimpson, formerly the Hammon Reed place, ihis 
portion of the town was taken up at an early day by William Reed, and 




FISKE HOUSE. 



the neighborhood was largely owned by his descendants for many gen- 
erations. Across the brook at the foot of the hill towards Bedford, is 
seen an old house among the trees, which is known as the Lawrence 
homestead. Here the Lawrence family located in the early settlement 
of the town, and from this place removed to Groton, where those 
princely merchants, Abbott and Amos Lawrence, were born. Return- 
ing towards the village, past the North Lexington station, in a beautiful 
grove is the substantial house of Mr. Kramer, formerly known as the 
Gushing place, and just beyond, on the right, lies the extensive and val- 



52 



LcxiiiiTtoii. 



uable farm of Mr. F. O. Vaille. The house and barns are on a gentle 
elevation a little way from the street, and from them is a fine outlook 
on every side over broad meadows, pastures and fields. Before reach- 
ing the village we pass, on the left, the pleasant homestead of Prof. 
H. E. Holt. 




LAWRENCE HOUSE. 



Merriam's 
HUl. 



Merriam St., leading out of Main St. adjoining the Mer- 
riam homestead {See p. 7), crosses the railroad track and 
terminates at the crown of the hill, in plain view of the 
Hayes mansion. On the left are the large house and grounds of INIr. 
Charles C. Goodwin, occupying a commanding position, and overlook- 
ing the village, while, opposite, is the new house of Robert P. Clapp, 
Esq., from which the long range of the New Hampshire hills forms a 



Otiu-r Points of Interest. 



53 



oleasin^ picture. At the corner of Oakland and Merriam Sts stands 

he qu^hU and pretty Eptscopa, Church, having a pleasant aud.ence. 

ootn with an elaborate altar and reading-desk. Passing up Oakland St. 

unt "^ reach the summ.t of the htll. >ve find here a number of .>ew 

h ses of modern architecture, having about them an a.r of comfort 




RESIDENCE OF MR. C. C. GOODWIN. 



and refinement. The location is especially attractive for the fine views 
which it affords of Arlington Heights, East Lexington and the Wal- 
tham hills. No spot in the vicinity of the village is better worth 
visiting than this cluster of pleasant houses on Oakland St. and the 
summit of the hill in the rear. 



54 



Lexington. 



Concord 
HiU. 



Monument St. leads from the Common, past the Roman 
CathoUc Church and over Concord Hill. At its junction 
with Lincoln St. is a triangular piece of ground containing 
about three acres, which has recently been purchased for a park. 
It is given to the Field and Garden Club {^See p. 62), on condition 
that it be put in order and kept open to public use. The purpose 
is to spend at least $1,000 in improving it. It is to be known as 




MONUMENT ST., LOOKING NORTH. 



Hastings Park. An avenue on the right leads to the home of Mr. 
George W. Robinson. It stands upon the southern slope of Concord 
Hill, surrounded by a variety of trees, amid extensive grounds. 

The North Brook takes its rise on the grounds in front of Mr. Rob- 
inson's house and flows for a long distance through adjoining farms, in 
nearly a straight line. It deserves our notice from the fact that it 
once formed the northern boundary of Cambridge. It was called 
■" the eight-mile line." When the Cambridge settlers complained that 



Other Points of Interest. 5 5 

their lands were too limited, the General Court granted them all the 
land extending to a line drawn eight miles northwest of their meeting- 
house, and lying between Woburn on one side and Watertown on the 
other. Here was the extent of their grant. 

Farther up the hill and nearer Monument St. are the places of 
Messrs. Charles and Walter Mowry, the latter a new and comfortable 
house, and the former a substantial mansion built many years ago by 
Mr. Daniel Chandler. On the Lincoln road, south of the new park, the 
home of Mr. Newell occupies a conspicuous site, and, just beyond, are 
the wells and pumping station of the Lexington Water Works. From 
deep springs opened here a supply of pure water is drawn for the use of 
the town. A scientific analysis proves it to be of the best quality, and 
there appears to be a moderate supply for the present wants of the 
town. 



56 



Lcxinoton. 




Puhlic Buildings. 



57 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 

On Clarke St., at the comer of Forest, stands the st,b- 
Jrr" stantial and beautiful Hancock Schoolhouse recently 

^re'- :':^'d ; .he town a. a cost, n.clud.ng the lot, of 60,000 

,..,..„,.TrontaLe.htscho— s,be^^^^^^^^ 

Lry, and a sew.ng and - 'ng--- J ^ ^ ^,„,, „, East 
primary and »— J ^ ^for war^tng ' and vent.lating are by the 
^^aTp ove e Ids and the roo.rts are so arranged that the pup.ls 




TOWN HAUL. MEr.OR.AL HALL AND GARY UBRARV. 



may enjoy the full benefit of the sunlight, 
date four hundred pupils, and is supplied 
venience for their health and happiness. 
in the state is better fitted for educational 
architectural appearance. 

The Town Hall, on Main St 
Town Hall. ^^^ ^-^^ ^f Bigelow's Hotel 

school, is a massive structure and is well 



It is planned to accommo- 
with every comfort and con- 
Probably no school building 
purposes, or presents a finer 

,, erected twenty years ago on 
and Dr. Dio Lewis' famous 
adapted to the various uses 



5J 



Lexins:ton. 



for which it was designed. The main hall is in the second story 
and, with the gallery, seats comfortably six or seven hundred persons. 
It contains a striking picture of the Battle of Lexington, painted by 
Sandham, which belongs to the Lexington Historical Society, and was 
purchased, by subscription, at a cost of ^4000. There is also in the 
hall a beautiful painting of flowers, the gift of the Whitmore family 
of Boston to the Gary Library. In the third story of the building are 
two smaller halls, fitted for society and social uses. 

On the first floor of the Town Hall building is a spacious 
Library room devoted to the Gary Library. The library, founded 

by the late Maria Hasting Gary of Brooklyn, N. Y., a native 
of Lexington {Seep, jd), contains about 
13,000 carefully selected volumes, and 
is open to the free use of the people. 
It is supported by the income of in- 
vested funds and by an annual appro- 
priation of the town for its care and 
increase. From five to seven hundred 
new books are added yearly, and the 
annual circulation amounts to 25,000 
volumes. The library is supplied with 
the leading magazines of the country 
and with newspapers. Besides many 
portraits and busts of noted characters, 
it possesses a large number of valuable 
and curious relics, illustrating the his- 
tory of the town. Among these are 
the identical pistols worn by Major 
Pitcairn on the 19th of April, i775> 
one of which he fired when the com- 
mand was given to fire on the minute- 
men. They were captured in the after- 
noon of that day, with the horse that 
he rode, during the confusion of the British retreat {See p. 28). After- 




JOHN HANCOCK. 



Public Buildings. 



59 



wards they were presented to Gen. Putnam, by whom they were worn 
through the war of the Revolution, and a few years since they were 
given to the town by his great-grandniece. The four pictures of the 
scenes of the 19th of April, 1775, the drawings for which were made a 
few weeks after the battle by Amos Doolittle of New Haven, are curious 
and interesting. A photograph of the original account of the battle 
on Lexington Common sent by express 
to Philadelphia on the morning of the 
19th, from Watertown, is framed and 
hung here. The original is preserved 
in Independence Hall. A large number 
of relics relating to ancient customs 
have been gathered, together with 
much valuable information regarding 
the early history of the town. The 
library is open to visitors on every 
afternoon of the week excepting Sun- 
day, and on alternate evenings {See 
p. 72). 

A hall dedicated to the 

memory of the departed 

heroes who died for their 
country, although originally separate, 
has been opened into the library room. 
On its walls are handsome marble 
tablets, inscribed with the names and 
deeds of the sons of Lexington who 
have fallen in battle, and, in four niches, 

are marble statues of Hancock, of Adams, of a minute-man of 1775, 
and of a soldier of 1861. 

The Town Hall building contains also the Lexington 
Bank. Savings Bank, an institution that has been very carefully 

and wisely managed, and has deposits amounting to nearly 
1^240,000. For many years it has paid semi-annual dividends oi 2j4 



Memorial 
Hall. 




SAMUEL ADAMS. 



6o 



Lcxing:ton. 




High 
School- 
house. 



per cent, besides adding to its reserve 
fund. Deposits are received from 
residents of the town only. 

On Main St., just below 
Woburn, stands the High 
School building. It was 
used, until the erection of the present 
brick building, as the Town Hall {^See 

P-33)- 

In East Lexington, at 

Hall. the corner of Locust 

Avenue, stands the '-'Village 

Hall." It was originally occupied as a 



church by the Universalist society, 
which united with the FoUen Church, 
and, afterwards, by the Roman Cath- 
olics, until the erection of their church 
on Monument St. It is now owned by 
the town and contains a pleasant little 
hall as well as the Adams Engine and 
the Hovey Hook-and-Ladder Houses. 
The Hancock Engine-house is located 
on Merriam St. 

Opposite the Foil en 
Adams ' ^ 

School- Church stands the Adams 

Schoolhouse, which accom- 




Public Buildings. 



6i 



modates the primary and grammar schools of East Lexmgton. It 
was erected many years ago, and is the third school-building that 
has stood on this lot. In one of its rooms is the East Lexington 
branch of the Gary Library. 

Lexington has but little manufacturing business, its peo- 

tures! ^°" P''^ being engaged chiefly in agriculture, or in business in 

neighboring cities. Two establishments, however, are 







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''y38iPfcjF''^tffl|^^ '^^^^^^^fiSI 


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^''^ ""■ • . „:-:^S 



HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING AND CANNON MONUMENT. 



worthy of notice, that of Mr. Matthew H. Merriam, on Oakland St., de- 
voted to the manufacture of leather findings, and employing between 
thirty and forty persons, chiefly women, and that of Mr. Chas. Grant, 
on Fletcher St., devoted to the manufacture of all kinds of iron gear- 
ing. Each has established a prosperous business. 

At the present time Lexington contains six churches, five 

Societies, Protestant and one Roman Catholic. It has nine primary 

and grammar schools, and one high school, containing al- 



62 



Lexington, 



together upwards of four hundred pupils, and having fourteen teachers, 
including a teacher of music and one of sewing. The town makes an 
annual appropriation for public schools of about ^12,000. 

It has five grocery, two drug and two provision stores, besides a 
number of others, four hotels, a grain mill, a lumber yard, gas works, 
two post-offices, and five railroad stations. It has a Field and Garden 
Club devoted to the improvement of the streets and public grounds, 




ADAMS SCHOOL HOUSE. 



and an Historical Society having a membership of two hundred and 
forty persons. It has a male chorus of thirty singers which has been 
under able training for many years, a base-ball and a shooting club, a 
large number of literary, book, and social clubs, as well as financial as- 
sociations and secret societies ; in addition to these an efficient Grand 
Army Post and Women's Relief Corps. The population is slowly but 
steadily increasing. During the last ten years, there have been many 



Public Buildings. 



63 



new houses erected and a larger gain in population and wealth than 
in any decade since the settlement of the town. The people are gen- 
erally in circumstances of prosperity and comfort. For the most part, 
their houses and grounds present a tidy and tasteful appearance. Beau- 
tiful walks and drives abound in the town and its vicinity, and visitors 




MAIN STREET, LOOKING SOUTH. 



find much to interest them and make their stay pleasant and profitable. 
It is a town which offers many advantages as a place of residence in its 
pure and invigorating air, its delightful scenery, its historic associations, 
and its freedom from annoyances incident to many suburban com- 
munities. 



64 Lexington. 



DRIVES. 

Following are a few of the shorter drives around Lexington. They may 
be combined and varied to an indefinite extent. Many deHghtful excursions of 
twenty miles or more maybe made, but for these it is impossible to give exact 
directions. For them, as well as for the shorter drives, it is important to have 
a good road-map. The most accurate is that published by the Appalachian 
Mt. Club, taken from the State Topographical Survey, but it gives neither 
the town boundaries nor the names of roads. For this reason other, less 
accurate, maps are, perhaps, more useful. 

1 Sha-wsheen Drive. Monument St., over Concord Hill, to 2d r. h. 
road (Wood St.). Follow Wood St., bearing always to the right 
{Tophet Swamp, E.), to Bedford St. Follow Bedford St. (S.) (past 
old Lawrence House) to Lex. — 6 ms., or, taking on Wood St. the 2d 
I. h. road, follow it to Bedford, and return via Bedford St. — 9 ms. 

.2. Short Historic Drive. Monument St., over Concord Hill, i^ ms. to 
" Bluff." {See tablet there and one at Hay ward House, i mile from 
Lex.) Turning sharply to the left at the " Bluff," follow the new Con- 
cord road (Marrett St.) (S. E.) one mile to 3d 1. h. road (Middle St). 
Follow Middle St. (E.) 2 ms. to East Lex. Return via Main St., past 
historic points, to Lex. — 6 ms. 

43. Mt. Tabor Drive. Lincoln St. to 4th 1. h. road (Weston St.). Follow 
Weston St., under Mt. Tabor (/;/ crossmgthe Concord Turnpike, go N. 
IV. a few rods to the new road instead of following the road between the 
great boulders) to the ist 1. h. road beyond Mt. Tabor (North St. 
or Trapelo Road). Follow North St. (S. E.) to 3d 1. h. road (Wal- 
nut St.). Follow Walnut St., Concord Turnpike (W.) and Waltham 
St. to Lex. — 8 ms. 

4. Waverly Oaks Drive. Waltham St., 2% ms. to 6th 1. h. road (Tra- 
pelo Road). Follow Trapelo Road (S. E.) 2 ms. to 4th 1. h. road 
(Mill St.). (JVaverly Oaks, Cascade, and Convalescents'' Home at this 
point.) Follow Mill St. (N.) one mile to Concord Turnpike. Thence 
by Concord Turnpike (a few rods) and Winter St. (past Belmont 
Spring, worth visiting) to E. Lex., and by Main St. to Lex. — 9 ms. 

-5. Belmont Drive. Main St. to Pleasant St., E. Lex. Follow Pleasant 



Drives. 65 

St. to 2d 1. h. road (Concord Turnpike). Follow Concord Turnpike 
(E.), through the " Willows," {beautiful stretch of road) to ist r. h. 
road (Mill St.). Here take the straight road, over the hill {fine view), 
or follow Mill St., bearing always to the left. Both roads lead to Bel- 
mont. Thence follow Pleasant St. {past Spy Pofui) to Arlington, and 
return, via Arlington Ave. and Main St. {tiote historic tablets) to Lex. 
— 10 ms. 

6. Winchester Drive. Main St. (S. E.), past " Foot of the Rocks" 

(Arlington Heights) to Forest St. Follow Forest St., over Tur- 
key Hill, to 1st r. h. road (Oak St). Follow Oak St., bearing to 
the right, to Mystic St. {Shore of Mystic Lake.) Follow Mystic St. 
(N.) to 3d r. h. road (Church St.), which follow to Winchester. 
Returning on Church St., take Wildwood St. {on the right) to Cam- 
bridge St. Follow Cambridge St. (N.) to ist 1. h. road (Parker St.) 
{a narrow lafte through the woods). Follow Parker St. to Lexington St. 
and return (W.) 2 ms. to Lex. — 10 ms. ; or, on Cambridge St., after 
leaving Wildwood, take istr. h. road (Pond St.) and follow it {around 
Horn Pond) to Woburn. Return by direct road to Lex. — 13 ms. 

7. Zion's Hill Drive. Same route as No. 6 to Oak St. There take 1. h. road 

(Ridge St.) and follow it {Jine views) down a rather rough, steep hill, 
to Lexington St. Return (W.) to Lex. — 8 ms. ; or, on Ridge St., 
take 1st r. h. road (High St.) and follow it, down steep hill, to Win- 
chester. Return as in No. 6 — 9 ms. ; or, on High St., take ist r. h. road 
(Arlington St.) and follow it to Mystic St. {Shore of Mystic Lake.) 
Follow Mystic St. (S.) to Arlington, and return as in No. 5 — 11 ms. 

8. Waltham Drive (1). Waltham St. to 2d 1. h. road (Allen St) . By Allen 

and Blossom Sts. to Concord Turnpike. Follow this (E.) a short dis- 
tance to 1st r. h. road (Walnut St). Follow Walnut St. one mile {past 
Com?nonwealth Spring) to 2d r. h. road (Forest St.). By Forest and 
Lyman Sts. {past the Lyman Estate) 2 ms. to Waltham. Return by the 
straight road (Lexington St.) to Lex. — 10 ms. 

9. Brook St. Drive. Waltham St. to ist r. h. road (Middle St., Grape- 

vine Corner). Follow Middle St. to ist 1. h. road (Spring St). Fol- 
low Spring St. {past Parker Homestead) nearly 2 ms. to 4th r. h. road 
(Lincoln St.), thence (N. W.) a few rods to Brook St. Follow Brook 
St. one mile to ist r. h. road (Winter St.). Follow Winter St. (N. 



66 Lexiiigtoji. 

W.) 2 ms. to Lincoln Centre. Returning take, after leaving the 
Public Library, the ist left (Lincoln St.) to Lex. — ii ms. 

10. Durenville Drive. Woburn St. one mile to Lowell Turnpike. Fol- 
low Lowell Turnpike (N.) to ist r. h. road (Russell St.). Follow Rus- 
sell St., through Durenville, to ist 1. h. road (Cambridge St.). Follow 
Cambridge St. (N.) 3 ms. to Burlington. In Burlington, take 1. h. 
road at Congregational Church, and return (ist right, 2d left, 4th 
right) to Lex. — 1 1 ms. 

11. Vine Brook Drive. Hancock St. to 2d r. h. road (Burlington St). Fol- 
low Burlington St. \)^ ms. to 2d 1. h. road (Lowell Turnpike). Follow 
Lowell Turnpike (N. W.) 2 ms. to ist 1. h. road after crossing a brook 
(Vine Brook). Follow this road (S. W.), taking ist left, ist right, 
2d left, 1st right, to Bedford. Return via Bedford St. to Lex. — 
1 1 ms. 

12. Arlington Heights Drive. Main St. to E. Lex. There take Pleasant 
St. to the 1st 1. h. road (Watertown St.). Follow Watertown St. Y^ m. 
to 1st 1. h. road (Valley St.). Follow Valley St. to the top of Arlington 
Heights {fine vieiv^. Thence follow Park Ave. and Clifton St. (S.) 
to Belmont. Follow Pleasant St. and Arlington Ave. to " Foot of the 
Rocks." There take r. h. road (Lowell Turnpike) and follow it to 2d 
1. h. road (Maple St). Follow Maple St. {past Peirce's Bridge Station) 
to Main St., which follow to Lex. — 1 1 ms. {Arlington Heights may be 
reached directly via Main St. and Park Ave.) 

13. Cummingsville Drive. Hancock St. to Adams St. Follow Adams 
St. to 2d r. h. road (North St.). Follow North St. {crossing Lowell 
Turnpike) i^ ms. to 1st r. h. road. (// is a small wood road leading 
off opposite a wide intervale.) Follow this wood road, through the 
farm of the Hon. John Cummings, to Burlington St. Follow Burling- 
ton St. (E.) through Cummingsville, to Woburn. Return by direct 
road to Lex. — 11 ms. ; or, at Burlington St., take 1. h. and, taking ist 
left, 1st right, and ist left, return by Reed's mill to Lowell Turnpike. 
Follow Lowell Turnpike and Adams St. to Lex. — 9 ms. 

14. Lincoln Drive. Lincoln St. direct to Lincoln. At the Public Library 
keep straight ahead (Concord Road) one mile to Sandy Pond. Follow 
the road around the farther side of the pond, 2 ms., to the Concord 



Drives. ^y 

Turnpike. Follow Concord Turnpike (S. E.) to ist r. h. road. Fol- 
low this road, over the high hill {Jine view from the reservoir, a short 
■walk to the left), to Lincoln. Return via North and Weston Sts. to 
Lex. — 12 ms. 

15. Waltham Drive (2). Lincoln St. to 4th 1. h. road (Weston St.). A 
few rods on Weston St., turn abruptly to the left, into a wooded, unfre- 
quented road (Shade St.), which follow {past the Cary Estate) to ist 
r. h. road (Spring St.). Follow Spring St. {past the Parker Home- 
stead) 4 ms. to Waltham. Return via Lexington St. to Lex. — 1 1 ms. 

16. Concord Drive. Monument St. direct to Concord {route of the 
British). See objects of interest there {Bartletfs Guide). Returning, 
take, at Emerson's house, the r. h. road (Concord Turnpike). Follow 
this 5 ms. to 5th 1. h. road (Weston St). Return by Weston St. (N. 
E.) and Lincoln St. to Lex. — 14 ms. 

17. Hancock and Adams Drive. Hancock and Adams Sts. to Lowell 
Turnpike. Follow Turnpike (N.) a few rods to r. h. (Burlington) 
road. Follow this {past Reed''s mill) to Burlington. {At i^ ins. on 
Burlington road notice Reed estate on right atid, on left, the old Sewall 
House, first stopping place of Ha?icock and Adams.) In Burlington, take 
1. h. (Bedford) road (W.) at the Congregational Church, and follow it, 
bearing always to the right, 2 ms., to an old house standing on a knoll on 
the left. Near this house, in the woods, is the cellar of the Wyman 
house, final refuge of Hancock and Adams. Continuing to Billerica 
road, turn sharply to the right, and return via Burlington — 14 ms. 

18. Waltham Drive (3). Monument St., towards Concord, to ist 1. h. 
road {]4 mile) beyond " Bluff" {see A^g. 2). Follow this road through the 
woods to its junction with Lincoln St. Follow Lincoln St. a few rods 
(S. W ) to its junction with the Concord Turnpike. Follow Concord 
Turnpike (W.) a short distance, to ist 1. h. road, which follow {straii^ht 
ahead) and then by Winter and West Sts., 4 ms., to Kendall Green. 
Return via Waltham to Lex. — 14 ms. 

19. Walden Pond Drive. Lincoln St. to Lincoln. At the Public Library 
take road to railroad station. A short distance beyond the railroad 
crossing take ist r. h. road to Walden St., leading to Walden Pond. 
Returning on Walden St., take ist 1. h. road which leads {near Sandy 
Pond) to Lincoln. Return via North and Weston Sts. to Lex. — 14 



68 Lexington, 

ms. ; or, at Walden Pond, continue on to Concord, and return thence 
by direct road — i6 ms. 

20. Old Bedford Road Drive Hancock St to 2d r. h road (Burlington 
St.). Follow Burlington St to ist 1 h road (Grove St.). Follow 
Grove St. through the woods {bearing always to the left) to Bedford St. 
Return via Bedford St (S.) to Lex. — 8 ms. ; or, at Bedford St. turn 
to the right to Bedford. There take Spring St. to Bedford Springs 
{Hotel). Continue thence to Billerica road, which follow (S.) back to 
Bedford St — 14 ms 

21. Nutting's Pond Drive. Bedford and Spring Sts. to Bedford Springs. 
Continuing thence, take 2d right and ist left, 2 ms., to Nutting's Pond. 
Crossing the pond, take ist 1. h. road, and return through So. Billerica 
and Bedford to Lex. — 16 ms. 

22. Medford Drive. Main St. to Arlington. Thence, via Charlestown 

and Curtis Sts. to top of College Hill, {Tufts'' College ; fine view ; old 
Powder House in vicinity .) From top of College Hill follow College, 
Royall {Roy all House), and Main Sts. to Medford {quaint and inter est- 
iftgtowti). At Medford Centre follow Riverside Ave. to the Cradock 
House {oldes* house in New England). Return via Medford, West 
Medford, and Arlington — 13 ms. 

23. Mt. Auburn Drive. Main St. to Park Ave. (Arlington Heights). 
Follow Park Ave. to Summit and proceed thence, via Eastern Ave. and 
Spring PI., straight down to Pleasant St. Follow Pleasant St. (S. W.) 
a short distance to Brighton St. Follow Brighton St. {crossing Fitch- 
burg R. R.) to Concord Turnpike. Follow this (E.) a short distance 
to Fresh Pond Drive, which take, half way around the pond, to an exit 
upon Gushing St., which follow (S. E.) to Mt. Auburn. Returning, 
follow Belmont St. {past Payson Park and other fine estates) to North 
St. Follow North St. {through Gipsy Woods) to Waverly. Return, via 
Mill St., Concord Turnpike, Watertown St., to Lex. — 15 ms. 

24. Virginia Drive. Monument St. to Wood St. (i-^^TVb. i.) Follow Wood 
St. to 1st 1. h. road and follow this to the Virginia Road (ist right). 
Follow Virginia Road {bearing always to the left) to its junction with 
the Concord road {Merrianis corner, of historic interest). Retiun 
via direct road to Lex. — 14 ms. 



Drives. 69 

25. Weston and Norumbega Drive. Lincoln St. to Weston St. {see No. 
3). Thence, under Mt. Tabor, past High Rock, and through a beautiful 
wooded road, 5 ms. to Weston. Thence, following the direct road to 
Waltham, take the 2d r. h. road to Roberts' Mills {see Norumbega 
Tower'). Return via Waltham to Lex. — 16 ms. ; or, Norumbega may 
be reached direct, through Waltham, returning the same way — 12 ms. 

Following, are suggestions for a few of the 



LONGER DRIVES. 

26. Wellesley Drive. To Wellesley, via Waltham and Auburndale {good, 
though expensive, hotel at Wellesley). See Wellesley College, Hunne- 
well Estate, and Baker Estate, and return same way — 28 ms. 

27. Wayside Inn Drive. To Wayside Inn (So. Sudbury) via Weston 
and Wayland {i^ood hotel at ll'ayla?id). Return through Sudbury Cen- 
tre {ll'adsworth Motiufnent) — 28 ms. 

28. Middlesex Fells Drive. To Middlesex Fells, via Arlington and Med- 
ford, and around Spot Pond, {Hotel Langwood at Jryomhig) . Return 
via Stoneham and Winchester, past Reservoir and through Highland 
Ave. {fine views') — 25 ms. 

29. Magog Drive. To Acton {of historic interest), via Concord {past the 
Reformatory) and thence to Magog Lake {country tavern). Return via 
Carlisle and Bedford — 30 ms. 

30. Robbins' Hill Drive. To Robbins' Hill, Chelmsford {fine view; good 
hotel at Chelmsford) via Bedford. Return via Billerica — 30 ms. 

31. So. Natick Drive. To So. Natick {Eliot 7nonument ; good hotel) via 
Newton Lower Falls. Return via Weston — 30 ms. 

32. Concord River Drive. To Fairhaven Bay {Sudbury River) via 
Lincoln. Return through Nine-acre Corner {see White Pond) and 
Concord. Crossing the river, continue along its west bank, over Punka- 
tasset Hill, bearing always to the right, through Bedford to Lex. — 
24 ms. 

In addition to these, pleasant excursions are to Waltham, taking boats 



70 



Lexhizton. 



there to Riverside, on the Charles River ; or, to Concord, taking boats there 
and rowing down stream, or up the Assabet or Sudbury Rivers. For a short 
trip it is best to follow the Assabet {North branchy. 

There are many beautiful walks over the hills and through the unfrequented 
roads of Lexington, but, as they lead, in general, over private property, it is 
impossible to outline them. 





MAIN ST., LOOKING NORTH-WEST, EAST LEXINGTON. 



Churches. 7^ 



CHURCHES. 



First Congregational (Unitarian) Society, Elm Ave., Rev. C. A. 
Staples, Pastor. —Sunday Services, 10.30 a.m., and (usually) 7 p.m. 
Sunday-school, 12 M. Young People's Guild, alternate Sundays, 7 p.m. 
Unitarian Club, ist Monday of each month (except through the sum- 
mer) 7.30 P.M. Ladies' Benevolent Society and Lend-a-Hand Society 
have frequent meetings. 
Hancock Congregational (Orthodox) Society, Bedford and Hancock 
Streets, Rev. Irving Meredith, Pastor . — Smid^y Services. 10.30 
a.m. and 7 p.m. Communion Service, ist Sunday in January, March, 
May, July, September, and November, at 3 p.m. Sabbath School, 12 
M. Y. P. S. of Christian Endeavor, Mondays, 7.30 p.m. Ladies' 
Meeting, Wednesdays, 3 p.m. Prayer Meeting, Fridays, 7. 45 P-M. 
Baptist Society, Services held, at present, in Town Hall, Rev. L. B. 
Hatch, /'a.y/^r. — Sunday Services, 10.30 a.m., and 7 p.m. Sab- 
bath School, 12 M. Prayer Meeting, Thursdays, at 7-45 p-M- ^' ■ ^• 
S. of Christian Endeavor, Tuesdays, 7.45 p.m. 
Follen Church (Unitarian Congregational), Main St., East Lexington, 

P^^/^r. — Sunday Services, 10.45 a.m. Sunday-school, 12 m. 

Ladies' Sewing Society, alternate Thursday afternoons. 
Church of Our Redeemer (Episcopalian) Merriam Street, Rev. 
Alfred B. Nichols, Minister in Charge. —SnndTiy Services, Morning 
Prayer, 10.45 a.m. ; Evening Prayer (June to October) 7-3° p-M- Com- 
munion, ist and 3d Sundays of the month. Woman's Guild, 1st Thurs- 
day in the month (October to May). 
St. Bridget's Church (Roman Catholic), Monument St., Rev. P. J. 
Kavanaugh, Pastor. 



72 Lexington Post -Office. 



LEXINGTON POST-OFFICE. 

L. G. Babcock, Postmaster. 

Office Hours. — 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, 1.30 to 2.30 p.m. 
Mails Close — 8.30 a. m., 12.45 ^^^^ 5-5° p-^i- Sundays, 4.30 p.m. 
Mails Ready for Delivery — 7.45 a.m., 1.20 and 5.30 p.m. Sundays, 

2 P.M. 

EAST LEXINGTON POST OFFICE. 

Augustus Childs, Postmaster. 
Mails Close — 8.30 a.m, and 4.30 p.m. 
Mails Ready for Delivery — 7.45 a.m., and 5.10 p.m. 

GARY LIBRARY. 

Miss Whitcher, Librarian. 

Hours. — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thurs- 
day and Saturday, 2 to 9 p.m. 

EAST LEXINGTON BRANCH. 

Miss Holbrook, Librarian. 
Hours. — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 12.15 to 1.30 p.m.. 



and 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 to 8 p.m. 



INDEX. 



Academy, Lexington, 21. 

Acton, 34, 69. 

Adams, Samuel, 25, 27, 59, 67- 

Adams St., 49, 66. 

Adams Engine House, 60. 

Adams School house, 60, 62. 

Allen St., 47. 65- 

Area, 5. 

Arlington, 65, 68, 69. 

Arlington Heights, 44, 53, 66, 68. 

Assabet River, 70. 

Auburndale, 69. 

Augustus, John, 16, 20. 

Baptist Society, 41, 7i- 

Base-ball Club, 62. 

Bedford, 64, 66, 68, 69. 

Bedford Springs, 68. 

Bedford St., 7, 12, 51, 64, 66, 68. 

Belfry, 7, 8, 18. 

Belfry Hill, 18, 26. 

Belmont, 64, 66. 

Belmont Springs, 64. 

Bigelow's Hotel, 57. 

Billerica, 25, 69. 

Bloomfield St., 41. 

Blossom St., 46. 65. 

"Bluff," 27, 64,67. 

Boulder, 14. 

Bowes, Lucy, 24. 

Bridge Grant, 38. 

Brook St., 65. 

Buckman Tavern, 6, 7, 14. 

Burlington, 25, 66, 07. 

Burlington St., 66. 

Burying Ground, 19. 

Cambridge, 6, 7, 54. 

Cambridge Farms, 6. 

Cannon Tablets, 33, 6i. 

Carlisle, 69. 

Cary Farm, 36, 67. 

Cary Librar>', 18, 36, 57, 58, 61, 72. 

Cemetery, Old, 19. 

Charles River, 5, 70. 

Chelmsford, 6g. 



Childs Monument, 20, 22. 

Churches, 7, 13, 19. 2'. 4i. 43. 53. 54. 6'. 71- 

Clarke, Rev. Jonas, 20, 24, 30. 

Clarke House, 22, 47. 

Clarke Tomb, 20. 

darkest., 18,57. 

Clubs, 54, 62, 71. 

College Hill, 68. 

Common, The 7, 12, 27. 

Commonwealth Spring, 65. 

Concord, 27, 28, 67, 68, 6g. 

Concord Hill, 27, 34, 39. 54. 64- 

Concord River, 5, 69, 70. 

Concord Turnpike, 35, 46, 64, 66, 67, 68. 

Cradock House, 68. 

Cumraingsville, 66. 

Davis Hill, 19, 39. 
Doolittle, Amos, 59. 
Downing, Lewis, 33. 
Drives, 5, 63, 64. 
Durenville, 66. 

East Lexington, 31, 42. 53. 60, 64, 70. 

" Eight-mile Une," 54. 

Elm Ave., 12, 15, 21, 56. 

Elms, Notable, 13, 24, 42, 46, 47- 

Emerson, R. W., 43.67 

Estabrook, Benj., 7,20. 

Estabrook, Joseph, 8, 20. 

Eustis, William, 20. 

Everett, Edward, 17. 

Fairhaven Bay, 6g. 

Field and Garden Club, 54, 62. 

Fares, Railroad, 5. 

Fire Department, 60. 

Fiske, David, 16, 50. 

Fiske, Joseph, 50. 

Fiske Hill, 27. 

Fletcher St., 61. 

FoUen, Charles, 43- 

FoUen Church, 31, 43, 44, 60, 71. 

FoUen House, 43, 45- 

" Foot of the Rocks," 65, 66. 

Forest St., iS, 57. 

Fresh Pond, 68. 



74 



Lcxbidton. 



Grand Army Post, 62. 
Grant Elm, 13. 
Grapevine Corner, 3S, 65. 
Grove St., 68. 

Hancock, Ebenezer, 23. 

Hancock, Rev. John, 7, 20, 22. 

Hancock, Gov. John, 7, 22, 24, 27, 58, 67. 

Hancock, Thomas, 22, 23. 

Hancock Church, 21, 71. 

Hancock-Clarke Elm, 24, 47. 

Hancock-Clarke House, 22, 23, 47. 

Hancock-Clarke Tomb, 20, 21. 

Hancock Engine House, 60. 

Hancock Heights, 3g. 

Hancock Mansion, 23. 

Hancock Schoolhouse, 10, 57. 

Hancock St., 21, 22, 47, 66, 67, 5S. 

Harrington, Caleb, 18. 

Harrington House, 15. 

Harrington, Jonathan, 31, 42. 

Hastings Park, 54. 

Hayes Estate, 49, 52. 

Hayward, James, 34, 64. 

Herlarkenden, Robt., 7. 

High Rock, 69. 

High School Building, 33, 60, 61. 

Historical Society, iS, 58, 62. 

History, 6. 

Horn Pond, 65. 

Hotels, 40, 41, 62. 

Hovey Hook and Ladder House, 60. 

Incorporation, 6. 

Inscriptions, 13, 16, 27, 30, 33, 59, 61, 64, 65. 

Kendall Green, 67. 
" Kite End," 35. 
Kossuth, 17. 



Magog Lake, 6g. 

Main St., 13, 27, 29, 40, 45, 60, 63, 64, 6S, 70. 

Male Chorus, 62. 

Manufactures, 61. 

Map of the Town, 4. 

Map, Sketch, 1775, 26. 

Maps, 64. 

Maple St., 42, 66. 

Marrett St., 64. 

Massachusetts House, 40. 

Medford, 68, 69. 

Meeting Houses, 7, 9, 13, 34. 

Meeting-House Monument, 7, 13. 

Memorial Hall, 57, 59. 

Merriam House, 7, 14. 

Merriam, Benj., 34. 

Merriam's Corner, 68. 

Merriam's Hill, 52. 

Merriam St., 52, 60. 

Middle St., 37, 64, 65. 

Middlesex Fells, 6g. 

Military Affairs, 9. 

Minute-Men, g, 14, 17, 27, 31, 58. 

Monadnock Mt., 5. 

Monument, The, 8, 16, 30. 

Monument St., 7, 12, 18,27, 54i 64, 67. 

Morrell, Ambrose 43. 

Mt. Auburn, 68. 

Mt. Independence, 44. 

Mt. Tabor, 64, 6g. 

Mt. Vernon St., 41. 

MuUiken House, 33. 

Mulliken Oak, 38. 

Munroe, Marrett, 17, 18. 

Munroe Tavern, 28, 32. 

Munroe, Wm., 15. 

Muzzey Homestead, 40. 

" Muzzy, Nibour," 7, 13. 

Mystic Lake, 65. 



Lafayette, 17. 

Lawrence House, 51, 64. 

Lewis, Dio, 57. 

Lincoln, 34, 66, 69. 

Lincoln St., 54, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69. 

Line of Battle, 14. 

Locust Ave., 60. 

Lord Lexington, 6. 

Loring Hill, 38. 

Lowell Turnpike, 66, 67. 



Natick, 6g, 

Nme-acre Corner, 69. 
Normal School, 21, 22. 
North Brook, ig, 40, 50, 54. 
North Lexington, 51. 
North St., 66. 
Norumbega, 6g. 
Nutting's Pond, 68. 

Oakland St., 53, 61. 



Index. 



75 



Parker, Capt. John, 9, 14, 18, 19, 35. 

Parker, Theodore, 14, 35, 65, 67. 

Parker Pine, 36. 

Peirce's Bridge, 66. 

Percy, Earl, 28, 32. 

Phinney, Elias, 36. 

Pierce, Cyrus, 22. 

Pierce Homestead, 43. 

Pitcairn, Major, 27, 28, 58. 

Pleasant St., 44,64, 66. 

Population, 5, 62. 

Post offices, 14, 62, 72. 

Powder House, 68. 

Private Residences, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 46, 47, 

49. 50, 51. 52- 
Public Buildings, 57. 
Punkatasset Hill, 69. 
Putnam, Gen., 59. 

Railroad Accommodations, 5. 

Railroad Stations, 12, 51, 62, 66. 

Rebellion, The, 11. 

Reed, William, 51. 

Reed's Mill, 66, 67. 

Revere, Paul, 25. 

Revere St., 50. 

Revolution, The, 11, 16, 20, 59. 

Riverside, 70. 

Robbins' Hill, 69. 

Royall House, 68. 

Russell House, 41. 

Sanderson House, 32. 
Sandham, 58. 
Sandy Pond, 66, 67. 
Savings Bank, 59. 
Schools, 8, 9, 10, 57, 60, 61. 
Schoolhouse, First, 8, 9. 
Schoolhouse, Hancock, 10, 57. 
School-house Hill, 8. 
Sewall House, 67. 
Shade St., 67. 
Shawsheen River, 40, 64. 
Shooting Club, 62. 
Sketch Map, 1775, 26. 
Smith Elm, 46. 
" Smith End," 46. 
Societies, 61, 71. 
Spot Pond, 69. 
Spring St., 36, 65, 67. 



Spy Pond, 65. 
Statues, 58. 
Stetson, Caleb, 21. 
Stoneham, 69. 
Stores, 62. 
Sudbury, 69. 
Sudbury River, 69. 

Tablets, Historical, 13, 16, 27, 31, 33, 34, 59, 

61, 64, 65. 
Taverns, 6, 28, 32. 
Tidd House, 50. 
Tophet Swamp, 64. 
Town Hall, 57, 60. 
Trapelo Road, 64. 
Tufts' College, 68. 
Turkey Hill, 65. 

Valleyfield Farm, 38. 

Valuation, 5. 

Village Hall, 60. 

Vine Brook, 7, 39, 41 1 66. 

Virginia Road, 68. 

Wachusett Mt., 5, 36. 
Walden Pond, 6;. 
Walks, 63, 70. 
Walnut St., 65. 
Waltham, 53, 65, 67, 69. 
Waltham St., 38, 39, 64, 65. 
Washington, George, 32. 
Watertown St., 66, 68. 
Water-works, 55. 
Waverly Oaks, 64. 
Wayside Inn, 69. 
Wellesley, 69. 
Wellington, Ben)., 44. 
WeUington Elm, 42, 43. 
Wellington Homestead, 44, 46- 
Weston, 69. 
Weston St., 64, 67, 69. 
White Pond, 69. 
" Willows," The, 65. 
Winchester, 65, 69. 
Woburn, 65, 66. 
Woburn St., 41, 60, 66. 
Wood St., 64,68. 
Women's Relief Corps, 62 
Wyman House, 67. 

Zion's Hill, 65. 



H 107 89 



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ECKMAN 1^ 

NDERY INC. |s| 

S-. NOV 89 

W- N. MANCHESTER, 
>y INDIANA 46962 



